4 Buffalo Bills fighting for their jobs vs. Jets

4 Buffalo Bills fighting for their jobs vs. Jets

When the Buffalo Bills play the New York Jets in Week 17, there will be a number player’s who’ll be fighting for their jobs. With a new head coach coming in 2017, there will be plenty of Bills player’s who will want to assemble last-minute impressions for the fresh, incoming coaching staff.

Here are four player’s who will want to cement their futures in hopes to earn an additional contract after the 2016 season.

EJ Manuel

The fourth-year quarterback out of Florida State hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft selection in 2013 (16th overall).

In 16 career starts, Manuel boasts a 6-10 record, completing 58.8-percent of his passes while throwing for 3,416 yards and tossing 19 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions.

After being benched in favor of Kyle Orton in 2014 along with getting subdued by Tyrod Taylor in a quarterback competition in Buffalo’s 2015 training camp, Manuel has undertaken a backup role.

Related

If Manuel can take full advantage of his start against the New York Jets in Week 17, he will leave a lasting impression for general manager Doug Whaley. If Manuel can earn a second professional contract, it’s quite possible that he may compete for a starting quarterback job in 2017, or at least cement himself as a reliable backup in Buffalo.

Justin Hunter

Wide receiver Justin Hunter was a waiver pickup by the Bills after he was released from the Miami Dolphins prior to Week 4 of the 2016 NFL season.

Hunter’s size and athleticism has provided the Bills with fresh blood at wide receiver. A unique wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and possessing sub 4.4 speed, Hunter has the ability to out-leap and run by most defensive backs in the NFL.

Related

He’s displayed those capabilities with his short time in Buffalo. In nine games with the Bills, Hunter has racked up 125 yards and four touchdowns on nine receptions.

Although his snaps have been limited, Hunter has received most of his playing time in the red zone, where he’s flashed his outstanding catch radius and overall red zone prowess.

With a solid showing on Sunday, Hunter can solidify his chances of sticking with the Bills in 2017.

Corey Graham

After switching from cornerback to safety in 2015 in Rex Ryan’s defense, Graham struggled with the transition. Graham, however, has enjoyed a resurgence in 2016.

Despite safety Aaron Williams going down with a season-ending injury, Graham has held is own in coverage. On 29 targets, Graham has allowed 17 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns, while defending seven passes and gathering one interception, per Pro Football Focus.

Considering Graham’s age (31) and the poor play Buffalo has extracted from its safeties, the Bills will be in the market to upgrade the back end of their secondary. With Graham holding a $1.6 million dead cap hit, the Bills could possibly save upwards of $3.7 million in cap space if they release Graham prior to June 1st.

It’s safe to say Graham will have to showcase a strong performance on Sunday against the Jets if he wants to continue playing for his hometown team.

Jordan Mills

Bills right tackle Joran Mills has been a major liability for the Bills offensive line all season. With Seantrel Henderson dealing with Crohn’s disease and a drug suspension along with Cyrus Kouandjio’s inability to play right tackle left Buffalo with no other option to start Mills.

Mills has struggled in pass protection. Through 15 starts, Mills has allowed nine sacks, six quarterback hits and 44 hurries, per PFF.

Unless Mills can manufacture a well-rounded, consistent game on Sunday, it will be extremely difficult for Mills to return to the Bills’ roster in 2017.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Bills Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.